External Title Operating Unit Leader — Aviation & Transportation

Operating Unit Leader — Aviation & Transportation

Peraton | Federal Civilian Sector | Reston, VA

The Department of Transportation is running one of the most consequential IT modernization portfolios in the federal government — the enterprise systems behind highway safety, rail, transit, motor carrier oversight, pipeline and hazardous materials safety, maritime logistics, and vehicle safety, plus the airspace and air traffic systems on the aviation side. Peraton is hiring an Operating Leader to run the Aviation & Transportation Operating Unit — a Fed Civ portfolio anchored at DOT and its operating administrations, with full P&L, delivery, and growth ownership.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Portfolio-level P&L, not a single program. You'll operate a multi-program book of business inside Fed Civ — setting the operating rhythm, financials, and growth plan across the Aviation & Transportation portfolio.
• DOT and its operating administrations as the anchor. FHWA, FRA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA, MARAD, PHMSA, and the FAA — enterprise IT, mission systems, safety data platforms, cyber, and cloud modernization all live in this book. The customer is active across every mode of transportation, the modernization runway is long, and the mission touches every American who drives, ships, flies, or rides.
• Real growth mandate. You own on-contract growth, recompete strategy, and shaping adjacent captures with Fed Civ BD — not just running what's already sold.
• Executive seat. You'll sit on the Fed Civ operating leadership team, own the portfolio's numbers in monthly and quarterly reviews, and shape investment decisions on people, capabilities, and IRAD.

What You'll Do

• Own P&L for the Aviation & Transportation Operating Unit — revenue, margin, EAC, bookings, and cash — across all programs in the book.
• Set the operating cadence: monthly program reviews, financial forecasting, staffing and hiring plans, risk and opportunity management, and corrective action when programs go yellow.
• Serve as Peraton’s senior executive relationship with DOT and its operating administrations — CIOs, program executives, contracting officers, and mission leadership across FHWA, FRA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA, MARAD, PHMSA, and the FAA.
• Lead a team of program managers, delivery directors, and functional leads across managed IT infrastructure, Agile/SAFe delivery, cloud, cyber, and O&M.
• Partner with Fed Civ BD, capture, and solutioning to build the pipeline, shape recompetes, and manage new-business captures across the portfolio.
• Own workforce strategy for the portfolio — hiring plans, retention, leadership bench, and critical-skill pipelines (cleared talent, cloud, cyber, transportation- and aviation-domain SMEs).
• Drive delivery excellence: EVM discipline, subcontractor performance, CDRLs, ATO/RMF posture, and DOT/FAA compliance obligations.
• Represent the portfolio in sector-level operating reviews and to corporate functions (Finance, HR, TA, Contracts, Security).

What You Bring

Basic Qualifications:

• 18 years of professional experience, may have management experience
• Minimum 8 years of Program Management experience, including financial oversight and reporting, resolving challenges, delivery optimization, and innovation.
• Minimum 10 years of experience within the Department of Transportation and/or FAA client space, with in-depth knowledge of DOT and FAA mission, acquisition environment, and IT ecosystem.
• Very strong business and technical acumen in programs delivering managed IT infrastructure services and agile development approaches.
• Exceptional P&L management and program turnaround skill sets, with the ability to analyze complex operational environments.
• Demonstrated successful track record of supporting and growing high-performing…